MEDlCINAL PLANTS OF JAMAICA. PARTS 1 & 11.

The wood yields haematoxylin, haematin, tannin and traces of volatile oil. (2, 3 5, 8, 14, 15, 19, 23. 27).
TAMARINDUS INDICA L. Tamarind.
The pulp of the tamarind fruit is used in Jamaica in the making of sweetmeats, in chutneys and to
prepare a cooling drink. It is known and used as a laxative and to prepare a gargle for sore throat. The pulp has a
considerable organic acid content of which the principal constituents are tartaric acid-free and as potassium
salts-and malic acid. The presence of citric acid seems doubtful. The tree also produces a gum containing
galactan. The leaves are made into a tea for treatment of measles. In Africa the pulp or leaves are used to make
poultices for sores. (3, 5, 7. 14, 15, 23, 25, 27).
CAPRIFOLIACEAE
A small family of temperate and sub-tropical woody plants. A few glucosides and alkaloids occur and
also some essential oils, fats, tannins, resins, bitter principles and organic acids. Elder-flower oil is obtained
from Sambucus nigra.
SAMBUCUS SIMPSONII Rehder. Elder.
Naturalized in Jamaica in the cooler parts, this plant is said to be used for coughs, colds, fevers and
constipation. For constipation or a chronic cough Beckwith gives the following remedy:- 'Boil the flowers with
chipped hog plum bark and trash from Cecropia peltata and drink the tea with sugar: The flowers probably
contain volatile oil. Steggerda mentions the use of the leaves as a poultice for ringworm. (2, 25).
CARICACEAE
A very small family confined to tropical America, the members of which contain a milky latex. An
alkaloid, carpain; a sinigrin-like glucoside; and the enzyme, papain, are common.
CARICA PAPAYA L. Papaw.
The juice of the plant contains papain, malic acid, calcium malate, fat, protein, wax, resin and sugar.
That of the leaves (especially the young ones) and stems contain the alkaloid carpain. The root. stem and leaves
contain a sinigrin-like glucoside, (?carposid). The juice is said to be used for boils and was also used for ringworm,
warts. worms, and in the treatment of enlarged liver and spleen. (2).
CHENOPODIACEAE
A widely distributed family of some five hundred and fifty herbaceous species. The leaves particularly
are rich in chlorides and oxalates; betaine, ascaridol and trimethylamine are also found.
CHENOPODIUM AMBROSIOIDES L. Semicontra (Semen Contra); Worm Weed; Worm Seed;
Mexican Tea; Bitter Weed; Hedge Mustard.
This species is the source of oil of chenopodium, the well-known anthelmintic. It is fairly commonly
employed in Jamaica as a vermifuge. It contains about 0.35 per cent volatile oil with an ascaridol content of
about 45 to 70 per cent, and also p-cymene, a-terpinene and l-limonene. An infusion of the plant is also used in
Trinidad as a vermifuge. (3. 13, 14, 18, 19, 23, 26, 27).
COMMELINACEAE
About three hundred of which the chemistry is little known.
COMMELINA ELEGANS H.B.K. Water Grass.
C. LONGICAULIS Jacq. Water Grass.
These species are mucilaginous and are used to boil tea for colds and malaria, and as a drink for babies.
In Africa C. longicaulis is used to make an eye lotion. (2, 25).